Cover for extension-steps.



H. J. & C. A. ROEBUCK.

COVER FOR EXTENSION STEPS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.23| I915.

1,184,383. Patented May 23,1916.

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HARRY J. ROEBUCK AND CLAYTON A. ROEBUCK, 0F TROY, NEW YORK.

COVER FOR EXTENSION-STEPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1916.

Application filed February 23, 1915. Serial No. 9,891.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, HARRY J. RonBUoK and CLAYTON A. Bowman, residents of Troy, New York, (whose post-ofiice address in each case in No. 7 Balsame avenue, Troy, New York,) have invented a new. and useful Improved Cover for Extension-Steps, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

The present invention relates to extension steps and has for its object to provide a cover for the same, which cover incloses and protects the step when the same is not in use.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with steps of the character shown in our U. S. Patent No. 1,118,584, dated November 24, 1914.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating one expression of the inventive idea, and wherein Figure 1 is a side view of part of an automobile showing the step and cover, the step being in extended position; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the position of the cover when the step is in extended position; Fig. 3 is a transverse section partly in elevation; and Fig. 4 is a similar View, the step being shown in collapsed position with the cover partly closed.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts, 5-5 are guide members which are secured to the under side of the running-board 6 of the vehicle in any desired manner, as by the use of bolts 7 and nuts 8. Suitable supporting members 9-9 are pivoted to said guide members at 10, and a step 11 is mounted on the lower ends of said supporting members. As here shown, said step is pivoted at 12 and rests upon inturned ends 13 of said supporting members when the step is in position for use. A bracing member 14 is associated with each supporting member 9 and one end of each of said bracing members is pivoted to its associated supporting member at 15. .A rod 16 passes through the other ends of said bracing members, and each extremity of said rod engages in a slot 17 provided in each side-piece 18. Each slot 17 is provided at one end with an oflset 19 (Fig. 4), in which rod 16 engages when the step is in extended position.

When the parts are in the extended position (shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3) the free ends of said bracing members 14 are caused to engage suitable shoulders or abutments 20 (Fig. 3) in order that the parts may be firmly held in that position. As here shown, said shoulders are formed on guide mom bers 5, one being provided on each of said members. Preferably the ends of the bracing members 14 that engage said shoulders are beveled, and when said ends are caused to engage said shoulders, the extremities of rods 16 are moved into offsets 19. A resilient cam member 21 engages the rod 16 before the bracing members 14 reach the shoulders 20, with the result that when said shoulders are reached, the beveled ends of bracing members 14 are positively moved into engagement therewith and held there by said resilient member.

A cover 22 protects the step when the former is in use, prevents the parts from rattling, and causes the device to present a sightly and compact appearance. As here shown, this cover is loosely mounted on the rod or pivot 16, in any suitable manner, said pivot in the embodiment shown in the drawings passing through openings in the sides 22' of the cover. The bottom of the cover is provided with two depressions 23 in which the inturned ends 13 project when the step is collapsed. The bottom of the cover carries a resilient member, in the form of a spring 24, which engages the under side of the step when it is collapsed, and a similar member 25 engages the upper side of the step at this time-these members, together with spring member 25 (Fig. 3) preventing the parts from rattling.

As the step is collapsed, the cover 22 is preferably automatically swung toward the same and, as here shown, this is eifected (Fig. 3) by means of a cam surface 26 (formed on a plate-26 which is interposed between the running-board and the step) engaging a part 27 of said cover and causing the cover to be swung to the position shown in Fig. 4. When the cover is completely closed, a spring catch 28 engages a projection 29 thereon and holds the parts in closed position.

When it is desired to use the step, the catch 28 is first disengaged from the cover, after which the operator seizes the step member 11 and pulls the same outwardly. This causes the beveled ends of bracing members 14 to slide along the guide members 5 until they are forced into engagement with shoulders 20 by cam member 21, the

ends of rod 16 being moved at the same time into offsets 19. The cover 22, hanging loosely from rod or pivot 16, moves forward with the same and, when the step is in its fully open position, the cover occupies the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. When it is desired to collapse the step and close the cover around the collapsed step, the ends of braces 14 are removed from engagement with shoulders 20 and the operator pushes inward on the step 11. The rod 16 slides rearwardly carrying the cover 22 therewith until part 27 on the cover engages the cam surface 26. The further rearward movement of rod 16 results in a swinging of the cover about its pivot until said cover reaches the position shown in Fig. 4. The cover I can then be readily grasped by the operator and engaged with catch 28, in which position it completely protects the collapsed step and securely holds the parts in their collapsed condition. The automatic swing- 'ing of the cover toward the collapsed step makes the closing of the same about said step a very simple matter.

While for the purpose of clearness one expression of the inventive idea has been described and illustrated with great particularity, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular means shown but that the inventive idea is susceptible of other mechanical expressions within the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. In combination, a collapsible step, a

cover therefor, .a pivot for said cover, means for moving said cover and pivot together, and means for swinging said cover about its pivot to inclose said step when in its collapsed condition.

2. In combination, a collapsible step, a cover therefor, a pivot for said cover, means for displacng said cover and pivot together, and means automatically swinging said cover about its pivot to inclose said step when in its collapsed condition.

8. In combination, a collapsible step, a cover therefor, a displaceable pivot on which said cover is mounted, means for moving said pivot and cover together, and a cam engaging said cover and swinging the same about said pivot when the step is collapsed.

1. In combination, a cover, a displaceable pivot on which said cover is mounted, a collapsible step connected to said pivot the extension of which step moves said pivot and cover, and means acting toautomatically swing said cover around its pivot and toward said step as the latter is collapsed.

5. In combination, a cover, a displaceable pivot on which said cover is mounted, a collapsible step connected to said pivot the extension of which step moves said pivot collapsed.

7. In combination, a collapsible and extensible step, a cover therefor, a pivot on which said cover is mounted. and-to which said step is connected, whereby said pivot and cover are displaced together as the step is extended, and means swinging said cover around its pivot toward the step asthe latter is collapsed.

8. In combination, a collapsible and extensible step, a cover therefor, a pivot on which said cover is mounted and to which said step is connected, and a cam swinging said cover around its pivot as the step is collapsed. V

9. In combination, a collapsible and extensible step, a cover therefor, a pivot on which said cover is mounted and to which said step is connectedwhereby said pivot and cover are displaced together as the step is extended, and cam means swinging said cover around its pivot toward the step as the latter is collapsed. u

10. In combination, a collapsible and extensible step, a cover therefor, a pivot on which said cover is mounted and to which said step is connected whereby said pivot and cover are displaced together as the step is extended, and cam means automatically swinging said cover around its pivot toward the step as the latter is collapsed.

11. In combination, a collapsible and extensible step, a cover therefor, a pivot on which said cover is mounted and to which said step is connected whereby said pivot and cover are displaced together as the stepis extended, cam meansautomatically swinging said cover around'its pivot toward the step as thelatter is collapsed, and spring means bearing on the collapsed step.

12. Incombination, a collapsible step, a cover therefor, a pivot for carrying said cover, means for moving said cover and pivot together, means for swinging said cover about its pivot, and resilient means engaging said step when in collapsed condition.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. H

. HARRY J. ROEBUCK.

CLAYTON A. ROEBUCK.

WVitnesses:

Mnn'ron O. RoEBUoK, ARTHUR A. MACEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

